Bengals release QB Barkley with injury settlement

The Cincinnati Bengals terminated the contract of veteran quarterback Matt Barkley and gave him an injury settlement, the team announced on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Barkley, in his sixth season out of USC, played in all four preseason games for the Bengals. However, he sustained a left knee injury in the preseason finale vs. Indianapolis and was placed on Reserve/Injured on Sept. 1 during final roster cuts.

The Bengals signed Barkley to a two-year contract in March, and had he remained on Injured Reserve he would have been eligible to compete for a spot with the team next season.

Andy Dalton is the Bengals' starting quarterback, with Jeff Driskel as his backup and Christian Hackenberg on the practice squad. It is believed Barkley would have been the backup had he not been injured.